It's a BOO-tiful Holiday

Well, it's Halloween! Unfortunately, the icky bug hit Jordan....so, he is in bed. Jeff and Neil just left for our "traditional" movie-night...the theaters are EMPTY on Halloween...and I am waiting for the first of the trick-or-treaters to show up....Jordan is back in bed after a meal of ramen. His second noodle dish, he had udon for lunch, of the day. He didn't eat any of his breakfast, which worried us...Jordan ALWAYS eats...everything, and his brother's food, my food...etc...but, his temp is below 100 so, his appetite is back...YEAH! We didn't have time to carve our pumpkins....so, I put out my candle pumpkins...these are great...and they don't get all squishy and yucky after being out all night.

Neil pounded in some decorations in his pumpkin....isn't it ghostly?

Jeff did manage to get out the pumpkin hanger...don't you just love binder clips???

Happy Halloween everyone!!!

Neil's 9th Birthday!!!

I need to put my camera back in my purse....the first two pictures are from my phone....I had lunch with Lori and Nick today. Lori was inspired to do something crafty so, after lunch, she bought a straw wreath and some burlap "ribbon". While she was checking in with work, I wrapped the wreath with the burlap and then she took over...she picked leaves off the tree and stuck it into the burlap...it turned out really cute... ...see? Isn't it pretty? And the Canadian made it....I knew I was a good influence on her...it only took 11 years...but, she did it!

I DO NOT TAKE THE CREDIT FOR THE DECORATING OF Neil's birthday cake. Neil turned 9 today....he wanted an ice cream cake...homemade ice cream...so, earlier this week, I made two batches of ice cream...yesterday I baked the cake and layer it with ice cream...today I frosted it...and then JEFF DECORATED it...okay, I put on the "at and pumpkin"sprinkles...but, Jeff did everything in blue. Oh, Jeff calls Neil "Bug"...and that circle is suppose to be a basketball...

Poor Jordan. He came home all grumpy...I finally told him to go lay down. Jeff took his temp...yup....99.7...by the time the evening rolled around...101.7. We had to cancel Neil's party. Of course, I have 14 pounds of chicken defrosted, a bag of shrimp, sausages, hot dogs, fruit salad, and etc all ready for tomorrow....but, better safe than sorry. I don't want anyone getting sick on account of us. sigh....

Holiday Cards!

It's amazing...when I was working, my holiday cards would be about 90% done by Labor Day in September. Now that I am not working, I'll be lucky if I get them done by Thanksgiving! I only send cards to those people who send me a card...so, I only send out about 120...yup, we receive around 120 cards every year....sorry to those people who "fell off" my list...but, I have a hard time making 120 cards....

So, this year's card was suppose to be LAST year's card...but, I LOST all of the hearts! Yes, I LOST THEM! I had them all cut out and I took them down to L.A. to outline, and when I got back, I couldn't find them...they weren't in my luggage or in the van....I might have left them in the hotel...or, I could have left them in Nick and Jazel's garage when we were moving wedding presents around...who knows....so, I am trying again this year....

Can you guess what it is? Yup! A Tree!!!! Add some glitter, a star and TAAA DAAA!!! A tree....this was my sample...I am changing the paper scheme....tree on red cardstock, then green, then white....I wasn't too happy with some of the scrapbook paper I have...so, I am going basic!

SF Shopping Day!

Last night I was EXHAUSTED! It was my annual SF Shopping Trip with my friend Shelley. We started this tradition about 7 years ago...it expanded to a spa/overnight stay...but, it has been scaled back to just one day...plus a delicious dinner! Maybe for my "special" birthday, we will stay overnight....maybe at the St. Francis like the first year....sigh...."almost" worth going back to work...NOT!

Our first stop is DSW...okay, I had to change purses...so, I took this picture with my phone. You can kind of see the DSW above Shelley's head...

We followed up with lunch at Lori's Diner...they have AWESOME corned beef and eggs...chunks of corned beef...yummy, I had that for breakfast a few years ago...but, this time I had a 1/2 chicken salad sandwich with cream of mushroom soup...which was WONDERFUL! I loved it...Next time...cream of mushroom with the corned beef and eggs! (Their hashbrowns are quite yummy...)

Another one of our traditions is to purchase an ornament to commemorate our trip....usually it's a Macy's ornament....and this year we found dated Macy's shopping bags...quite cute. The nutcrackers are for Shelley's sons, the basketballs for Jordan and Neil.

We had a delicious dinner at Lark Creek Steak House. I don't know why we were thinking about going somewhere else....we have gone to Lark Creek 2 or 3 times and have always loved it. Once again, it was fantastic! If you go there....get the biscuits, but pass on the Cauliflower Au Gratin...Shelley's idea...I wanted the mushrooms....

Sweets and Treats!

Today, I ran out of Neil's class and luckily beat the rush at Joann's! After picking up some material for another quilt, which unfortunately was on sale....so, I couldn't use my 50% coupons...I found this yummy magazine...I was attracted to the "lick the bowl, CHOCOLATE confections"....I haven't had time to really read the magazine, but, I'll let you know if it is really "lick the bowl" good!

The magazine is a 2-in-1! Bright Ideas is on the back...and after I bought it, I realized that it is an advertising section full of recipes and ideas from M&M's. But, the ideas are really cute. See the cake on the cover? The ribbon is melted Starburst candies! I may actually try this idea!

Friday nights are Jordan's basketball practice nights. Neil and I decided to stay home and rest, since we have to leave at 10 p.m. for Bingo cleanup. I was craving chocolate, and Neil wanted marshmallows...so, we made Brownies topped with marshmallows and chocolate chips....I also needed a big cup of coffee...Neil stuck with milk!

And the verdict is....

still Santa Ramen. Tonight, we tried Himawari Ramen in San Mateo. My Won Ton Mein was good...but Jeff and Neil's ramen was a little salty. Jordan on the other hand....is happy as long as he has noodles. He even wanted to take a picture of his ramen....see all of those orange-red circles....that's hot chili oil. He had the Tan Tan Ramen....spicy miso flavored....Jeff and I agreed...it has to be really good to top Santa Ramen...no ties....they will have to beat them outright. Besides having really good ramen, they have a parking lot, no meters and is next door to Niijiya and Joann Fabrics :)



When we got home, I finally finished the baby quilt for Neil's 1st grade teacher. She is having a little boy! It isn't perfect...but, I hope she likes it.

My phone charms are heavier than my phone!

Well...for the longest time, I have only had two charms on my phone because my slippa and pineapple charms were getting a little loose. I had picked up the kit for a strawberry charm...but, I didn't like the way it turned out. Last night...for some crazy reason, I decided to fix my slippa, pineapple and strawberry!!! Was I crazy or what? It wasn't that bad...and I had already made up the kits for the Girl's Trip. They wanted to learn how to make the strawberry...so, I had to do it sooner than later...

My next problem was how to attach all of these charms to my phone. Online I had seen someone use a short chain and attached the charms with jumprings. I think this will work...I'll let you know if there are any problems...right now...I am finding out that it is just a little heavy...but, WAY CUTE! I love sparkle....(oh and if you are wondering....um, no, I haven't made the Honu charm. A completed sample came with the instructions. I need to sit down and make that one with no interruptions...and that doesn't look like it's happening for a while. I think I have enough makings for two...one is spoken for...and I am sure I will be getting FB'd for the second....maybe a bid? HAH!)
BTW: Mom called today. My DAD actually made a comment about the purse I made....surprised? I am....I think she was also! Oh his comment? Something like, "Sheri made that? Looks good...."...this is MY DAD making a comment about a PURSE....crazy, eh?